Van Nuys teen charged for shooting helicopter

Danny Anthony Lopez, 18, has been charged in the shooting of a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter.

April 26, 2011 12:00:00 AM PDT

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES --

A teenager accused of shooting a Los Angeles police helicopter was charged Tuesday with two counts of attempted murder on a peace officer.

Danny Anthony Lopez, 18, pleaded not guilty in Van Nuys Superior Court. He was also charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, one count of shooting at an occupied aircraft and one count of carrying a loaded firearm in a street gang with the allegation that he personally discharged a firearm.

He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Police said on Sunday morning Lopez fired a semiautomatic rifle at a police chopper in Van Nuys, hitting it. The pilots made an emergency landing and were not hurt.

Lopez's mother said her son was distraught over the shooting death of a friend.